You know, a friend mentioned this topic. Fashion can depend on the person or their swagger, so this is not just about your clothes. It includes haircuts, glasses, shoes, or tailored uniforms, baggy uniforms—it’s you. One of my close friends in the free world told me, “Swagger doesn’t make the gangster; the gangster makes the swagger,” basically meaning you create your own style of fashion. Haircuts are a thing in prison. I’ve seen so many hairstyles you would think they get this done in a hair salon, but no, people learn how to braid. Most Blacks and also Mexicans have dreads or braids in a style that they believe is fashionable. I wish I could just show you and take pictures, but here in Texas, it’s hard to get pictures if you don’t go to visits every first week of the month.

So next would be the Mexicans and the whites, who keep bald fades with designs. But like I said, Mexicans also braid their hair. Then you have the “fuck I don’t care” guys that shave the whole half of their head and just look plain crazy, which most likely they are, ha! I’ve seen a guy with patches missing off his head, which looked like he had some type of stress disorder or mange—you know, the illness dogs get when their hair falls off in patches. Well, you have these guys. Man, do they look crazy, fam. But also you have the guys that are classy, sophisticated, or what we call “playa.” I fall into this category because no matter what, you will see these guys stay clean, keep their clothes clean, keep tailored uniforms, brand new shoes. They always smell good; they look shiny. You can tell the difference—they basically shine or stand out from others.

But you do have tailors and people that sew really well, people that make gym shorts to your liking. Also, muscle shirts are a thing, and even hoodies or beanies, which look like real factory-made beanies or gym shorts, which include pockets and fit your waist. Also, V-necks are a thing too, which I like—V-neck white T-shirts, also ankle socks. You name it, they do it. Like I said, many people in prison don’t have much support, so people find a job we call a hustle. So this is a thing that goes with fashionable inmates in prison. People sell everything, so like, I personally always look for these guys to get personal clothes tailored. It’s a thing. Prison is a world inside a world and a very small community, so we all live like we are free. So we stay clean, fresh, and fashionable. Others, not so much. Believe me, I’ve seen a guy with a yellow shirt. They do not sell yellow shirts in commissary. It’s because the guy doesn’t wash his shirt; it turns yellow, and the guy walks around like it’s a fashion statement. A guy made a comment saying, “I did not know they sold yellow shirts in commissary.” I yelled, “They don’t, fam!”

A guy named Brown asked for some rundown shoes. I’m like, “What?” He says, “Rundown shoes—shoes with holes in them or the sole is falling off, dirty. Those are my kind of shoes.” Then he says, “Not shoes like yours.” I smile and say, “Brown, if I was to give you these shoes, you would just sell them for coffee.” He was reluctant, then smiles and nods his head. I laugh but ask about his rundown shoes. It was funny because he says that, then says, “Size 8, 9, or 10.” I’m like, “Brown, what size, bro? Pick one!” He made me laugh so hard when he said, “Anybody want to buy some glasses with no lenses in them?” But I still asked. They laughed with me as I asked them. Well, I guess everybody has their own swagger, whether it’s stylish, average Joe, or your homeless guy’s fashion. It’s prison, and it’s a fashion statement.